[Criosphynx]

If its a pill you can crush, I used to get kitty meds down by crushing to powder, then mixing with some chicken baby food, and feeding off the finger. An idea anyway...

After doing the shove-it-down-his throat way last night, and having him spit it out 5 times despite me putting it two feet inside him...which was very unnerving for me, since I didn't know how he was going to react and this is the same cat who hospitalized me back in May. I was just like "PLEASE don't bite me......again".


I decided to crush it today and mix it with food. Meh, he ate about half of the tiny amount of food and then walked away...better than nothing I guess.


He can taste the pill I think. Iam hearing the distant circus music getting louder..

 

[pawzaddict]

Crio do you rub his throat gently when you pill him? My cat would eat canned food if I put poop in it. Ok probably not but still lol
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[Criosphynx]

Crio do you rub his throat gently when you pill him? My cat would eat canned food if I put poop in it. Ok probably not but still lol
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wasn't really thinking about comforting him TBH. I had one hand on the collar to hold him and one delivering the pill. I was too busy having surgery flashbacks. The whole thing was unnerving as all get out. I am just going to stick to crushing the pill

 

[pawzaddict]

Oh it doesn't conmfort them lol it irritates them to cause them to swallow lol.

Understandable about the flashbacks. My vet always said "if he gets some its ok, better than none"
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[Tess]

After doing the shove-it-down-his throat way last night, and having him spit it out 5 times despite me putting it two feet inside him...which was very unnerving for me, since I didn't know how he was going to react and this is the same cat who hospitalized me back in May. I was just like "PLEASE don't bite me......again".


I decided to crush it today and mix it with food. Meh, he ate about half of the tiny amount of food and then walked away...better than nothing I guess.


He can taste the pill I think. Iam hearing the distant circus music getting louder..

I've also gone one step further, to make more of a crushed pill/baby food slurry w/ some water. Then load a syringe (no needle) and put in corner of animal's mouth, squirt gently (careful with the airway) and pretty much they have to swallow it.

It helps if you can get a special syringe that has a larger than normal tip, although its possible with a normal one too. You just need to make your slurry runnier.

PS. If kitty is strong enough to put up a fight, that's a good sign anyway!

 

[Criosphynx]

I've also gone one step further, to make more of a crushed pill/baby food slurry w/ some water. Then load a syringe (no needle) and put in corner of animal's mouth, squirt gently (careful with the airway) and pretty much they have to swallow it.

It helps if you can get a special syringe that has a larger than normal tip, although its possible with a normal one too. You just need to make your slurry runnier.

PS. If kitty is strong enough to put up a fight, that's a good sign anyway!

I've hand fed more parrots than I can count

Heres the thing with cats. Stress. It can and will kill them very quickly.

Our "first" cat died from the stress of being given meds (in a syringe, like you describe above) because I was to stupid to go against the vet instructions. That cat enjoyed handling...And I have seen it happen in reptiles/bird/rodents etc....This particular cat is not fond of handling at all. I cannot even pick him up, kev has to. Forcing him to do anything is likely going to stress him to death and make him avoid and eventually attack me. He will have to learn to eat the meds willingly, I'll clicker train him if I have to. It seems wrong to me to ruin my relationship with my cat at the end of his life over a pill (he avoided me and cringed when I tried to pet him) so I will have to think of a way for him to think its his idea.

Thank you though

 

[pawzaddict]

^ok that explains a lot. I was wondering why you were so nervous about handling him but if he's eh I wouldn't touch him either! Kitty sits there but won't swallow a pill so I have to rub his throat. I think crushing is the best way to go!
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[Criosphynx]

^ok that explains a lot. I was wondering why you were so nervous about handling him but if he's eh I wouldn't touch him either! Kitty sits there but won't swallow a pill so I have to rub his throat. I think crushing is the best way to go!
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Yeah, I've given pills and eyedrops to my other cat no issue. I've had him since he was little and was able to get him comfortable with handling. I also have the Villain now, and hes just mush as well. Biscuit was two or more when I brought him home. And the two times I had to pick him up for more than a very brief moment he has bitten me badly.

 

[pawzaddict]

Well you are right about it not being worth ruining the relationship. Do your cats do tuna? Maybe put it on some tuna flakes I don't think you taste anything over that stuff! Lol
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[Criosphynx]

Well you are right about it not being worth ruining the relationship. Do your cats do tuna? Maybe put it on some tuna flakes I don't think you taste anything over that stuff! Lol
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hes not very food motivated. He may lick up the tuna oil...hmmmonder:


ok, I lied, he likes cheerios and yogurt :rofl:

 

[pawzaddict]

LOL!!! There ya go! Not sure how that will work but heck its something!
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[Tess]

Hi hear ya! You, as his "mom" know him best, and the cost/benefit ratio of medical intervention. Hopefully you can find something yummy enough to get him to eat his meds.
In the end, there is only so much we can do, and the most important thing is to maximize his quality of life in the time he has left.

 

[Bentfish]

Too bad you could crush it up and put it in lactose free milk. Maybe he would drink it up? I hope Bis is doing better!

 

[Criosphynx]

just an update


The Bis-cat is just as loud and demanding as ever. He now eats his pill, but only if I mix it in a half spoonful of "mixed grill" friskies (mixed mystery meat poison )

since starting the pills...he no longer sheds in husky-like clumps and his hair no longer stands up funny (he had a "sick" puffed up look before).





the newest issues is the Villain...trying to eat my plants. Aparently bitter apple tastes "just great!" to him...

 

[seebrown]

Haha, I'm glad he's doing better.

 

[fawkese1]

i'm glad to here that the bis-cat is back in bis-ness!

have you tried giving the villain his own plants that he can chew on? mine like wheat grass, but you have to be careful cuz too much and they will puke it back up...

 

[Criosphynx]

Yeah when i notice i give him grass. Hes brutal tho if i dont catch him. The poor plant
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